Schwarzenegger admits to love child with staffer

Shriver calls it 'heartbreaking time'

Updated 11:35 am, Tuesday, May 17, 2011

What you hear from the south is the sound of a very large shoe dropping. Arnold Schwarzenegger's shoe.

The former California governor has acknowledged to The Los Angeles Times that he fathered a child with a staffer who worked in the Brentwood mansion that he and his wife, Maria Shriver, shared.

Shriver moved out recently after he acknowledged that he was the father, according to the newspaper. The couple announced their separtation last week.

The newspaper reported:

"After leaving the governor's office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago," Schwarzenegger said Monday night in a statement issued to The Times in response to questions. "I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry.

"I ask that the media respect my wife and children through this extremely difficult time," the statement concluded. "While I deserve your attention and criticism, my family does not. "

The Times reports that Schwarzenegger fathered the child more than a decade ago before he ran for public office. The household staffer retired earlier this year.

Shriver has sinced released a statement of her own:

"This is a painful and heartbreaking time. As a mother, my concern is for the children. I ask for compassion, respect and privacy as my children and I try to rebuild our lives and heal. I will have no further comment."